Parents are the right people to care for children, but when there is no parent, someone else must step in.
This was published in an article printed by The Fiji Times on June 4, 1977.
It said St Christopher’s Home in Suva was a haven for children who had no one else to turn to.
“We think of the words in the Bible that we are all God’s people,” said Sister Clare Masina, an Anglican sister who had been running St Christopher’s home for the past eight years.
According to the article, children arrive at the home from different situations as abandoned babies, unwanted, neglected children, orphans and children from broken homes.
They were referred to the home by the Welfare Department, the police and other agencies. At that time, the home was overflowing with 62 children aged between four months and 18 years.
Apart from children, there were 10 unmarried expectant mothers living at the home.
“We have undertaken the responsibility to care for expectant mothers, preventing them from doing harm to their lives or committing suicide,” Sister Clare said.
She said the girls often felt it was better to live at home in peaceful surroundings and give away their children for adoption than to keep a child in a deprived condition.
The report said when the girls return home from the hospital after having their babies, “jobs are found for them in good homes if their own parents do not want them any more”.
The home had received tremendous help from service clubs, women’s organisations and individuals.
Fundraising activities began three months ahead of St Christopher’s Week, when street collections would be made between July 18 and 24.
The committee had already raised some money through a morning tea, a film evening and garden visits. Other planned activities included a luncheon at the new residence of the New Zealand High Commissioner, a casino night and Chinese cookery lessons.
Sister Clare was born in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. She trained as a teacher and taught for 14 years at St Andrews Mission School before going to Christchurch, New Zealand, for further training in mission work with her Community of the Sacred Name.
She took her vows in 1965 and in 1967 arrived in Fiji.
After spending some time in Labasa at St Mary’s Hostel, she went to Suva to establish St Christopher’s Home in March 1968.
